Post by nctumbler on Oct 10, 2013 12:47:08 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I just got into the tumbling hobby a few months ago after having one of the shoddy toy store versions many years ago as a kid, but have already expanded my tumbler collection to include two Thumler AR-2 double 3lb tumblers (only used for stage 1), as well as a Raytech 4lb Tumble-vibe TV-5 I use for steps 2 through polish. Now that I've got 10 or so successful batches under my belt, (and one very disappointing batch of laboradite ) and mastered vibratory tumbling, I feel ready to step up to a "big boy" tumbler to experiment with some bigger rocks....I blame therockshed for giving me the itch for sending me several free big agates with my last tumble rough order that are far too big for a 3lb barrel, I can't just waste them leaving them untumbled! I'm on to their sales strategy, it starts with a buying few pounds of rough for a 3lb tumbler, then they get you hooked on the stronger stuff (free large rocks), next thing you know your shopping for 15lb tumblers and 50lbs of grit
So, I just lucked out and bought a lightly used AR-12 tumbler on ebay for just $60 shipped. My main question is how big a rock (and how many) would be recommended to run in a mixed load in one of these babies? I have two large (3"x4" 1.5lb, fist sized) crazy lace agates, could I run both of them in a mixed load or just one? What would the max size/weight for a single rock for this 12lb tumbler be? Next question is concerning the smaller rocks in the mixed load...seems to me they would just get pulverized by the huge agates, should I put in a mix of different sizes of crazy lace agate? Or I have lots of Bahia agates which are pretty big (1.5-2"+) and already somewhat river washed smooth, or should I just put in some cheap decorative rocks from Home depot with the sole purpose of polishing the big ones? Suggestions are welcome!
So, I just lucked out and bought a lightly used AR-12 tumbler on ebay for just $60 shipped. My main question is how big a rock (and how many) would be recommended to run in a mixed load in one of these babies? I have two large (3"x4" 1.5lb, fist sized) crazy lace agates, could I run both of them in a mixed load or just one? What would the max size/weight for a single rock for this 12lb tumbler be? Next question is concerning the smaller rocks in the mixed load...seems to me they would just get pulverized by the huge agates, should I put in a mix of different sizes of crazy lace agate? Or I have lots of Bahia agates which are pretty big (1.5-2"+) and already somewhat river washed smooth, or should I just put in some cheap decorative rocks from Home depot with the sole purpose of polishing the big ones? Suggestions are welcome!